Tuesday, April 29, 2014

The Schmidt Sting Pain Index rates the painfulness of 78
Hymenoptera species, using the honey bee as a reference point. However, the
question of how sting painfulness varies depending on body location remains
unanswered. This study rated the painfulness of honey bee stings over 25 body
locations in one subject (the author). Pain was rated on a 1-10 scale, relative
to an internal standard, the forearm. In the single subject, pain ratings were
consistent over three repetitions. Sting location was a significant predictor
of the pain rating in a linear model (p < 0.0001, DF = 25, 94, F = 27.4).
The three least painful locations were the skull, middle toe tip, and upper arm
(all scoring a 2.3).

The three most painful locations were the nostril, upper
lip, and penis shaft (9.0, 8.7, and 7.3, respectively).

This study provides an
index of how the painfulness of a honey bee sting varies depending on body
location.